- Media Release
The District Council of Grant and Allendale East Area School have partnered to create three sign installations asking visitors near the ocean to dispose of waste in designated rubbish bins to help protect local sea life.
The new signage has been installed at both Port MacDonnell and Blackfellows Caves boat ramps replacing the physical boat ramp ticketing machines at both locations. All signs incorporate artworks from students of all ages at the Allendale East Area School which convey environmental messaging and provides additional information regarding general boat ramp usage.
Mayor Kylie Boston said the collaboration highlights the importance of continuing to engage with young people within the district.
“It is wonderful to see ideas created from classroom learnings be transformed into the real-world environment,” Mayor Boston said.
“Council is pleased to have been able to work together with the staff and students at Allendale East Area School, and support their messaging concept. I encourage school students to continue to utilise their learnings to generate positive change in our community.”
Allendale East Area School Principal Kylie Smith explained the student’s involvement stemmed from a concept created by their new student-led Environmental Leadership team.
“The Environmental Awareness collaboration was founded as a result of a re-structure of our student representative council in 2022,” Ms Smith said.
“In developing this initiative, the intention was to create a closer connection and partnership with our wider community, whilst also developing genuine student voice within our school,”
“The Environmental Leadership team has ticked all the boxes and have gleaned many new insights to how local government operates. The culmination of their efforts is to be commended, and we are thrilled to be present for the unveiling of the Boat Ramp signs.”
Pictured (L to R): Deputy Mayor Cr Megan Dukalskis, Chief Executive Officer Darryl Whicker, Allendale East Area School Art Teacher Sarah Stratford, former Allendale East Area School student and Environmental Leadership team member Hudson Terek, current Allendale East Area School students, Media and Community Officer Renee Henke, Mayor Kylie Boston, Director of Environmental Services Leith McEvoy, Team Leader – Environmental Health and Compliance Aaron Price, and Allendale East Area School Assistance Principal Suzie Mitchell.
Another key component of the new signage is the ongoing use of Council’s digital boat ramp permit system, EasyPark, in operation as at 1 July 2023.
Short-term boat ramp users can continue to purchase a daily, weekly or monthly permit via the EasyPark app downloadable on any smart phone or over the phone with the EasyPark customer service team on 1300 734 070.
Annual recreational and professional/commercial users will be required to contact a District Council of Grant Customer Service Office to purchase and be added into the online system.
Further information regarding Council’s boat ramp facilities and instructions on how to obtain a boat ramp permit is available on the District Council of Grant website at Infrastructure: Boat Ramps.
For media enquiries, please contact CEO, Darryl Whicker on (08) 8721 0444 or info@dcgrant.sa.gov.au.
Pictured (L to R): Current Allendale East Area School students, Mayor Kylie Boston and Deputy Mayor Cr Megan Dukalskis.
Pictured (L to R): Former Allendale East Area School student and Environmental Leadership team member Hudson Terek, and current Allendale East Area School students.